First, let's get this out of the way: Are you good or bad?
Jesus answers this in Mark 10:18 (NLT) "Why do you call me good? . . . Only God is truly good.”
So we are all lumped into one group. Yet we often ask, “Why do good things happen to bad people?” Or, “Why do bad things things happen to good people?”
The universal truth is, God's grace is for everyone. But to pursue the issue, let's put a tag on those who willfully do bad things and therefore dishonor God—bad; those who joyfully do good things to honor God—good.
We read about filthy rich drug Lords and human traffickers who prey on innocent kids, making them addicts, slaves, and thieves, practically useless to society the rest of their lives.
We read about wheeler-dealers and schemers who manipulate stocks and businesses so they can amass more wealth for their own benefit.
We read about popular men who are idolized by society despite their bevy of mistresses—all well provided for; their illegitimate children driving expensive sports cars followed by a trail of bodyguards.
In recent months, we've been reading about powers-that-be who have diverted people's money to fake NGOs to enrich themselves.
And often, we reel from the grief brought on by natural disasters—and people loot, rape, kill, sow dissent, taking advantage of the misery of others.
The above have it all—heaps of material things or bullying power ordinary beings can't even imagine.
In contrast . . .
We read nothing of hard-working men and women who sacrifice the little that they have for those who have less in life . . . of starving evangelists who try to spread the goodness of the Lord in places unknown . . . of generous hearts who are constantly on the look out for people with whom they can share their meager resources . . . the list is endless.
Why good things happen to bad people, why corrupt and greedy people prosper, is difficult to understand.
Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (save Jesus, of course), believed to be the writer of Ecclesiastes, said in Chapter 8:14, “And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!”
His explanation, “But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.”
Since Adam's and Eve's fall, we have lived in a fallen world, where man has a free will to decide for himself. Good or evil, the results have been catastrophic.
But this I believe, a very bad thing will happen someday to all who ignore Jesus Christ and a very good thing will happen to those who call Him Savior. Either we will be separated from God forever or we will be with the Lord for eternity.
We will give an account for what we have done in our life and justice will be served. Everything will be made right. Today is our day of salvation through Jesus, if we call on Him now. Acts 4:12 (NLT), “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
So yes, good things happen to bad people. And bad things happen to good people.
photo credit: www.jordilabs.com
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